Sixers “7” The Tatum-Less Celtics, Face The Higher Seeded (3 vs 7) Knicks Next

Although they did “title” (an NBA high 18th), as recently as 2024 and for both seasons since they were “Tatum-less” in the game in which they fell out of the ‘offs, the Boston Celtics deserve criticism, as does the “attrition a big factor” four best of seven rounds, NBA, for that matter, but not as severely, NHL playoffs.

First, praise for the Philadelphia 76ers, who ended a 6 playoffs series loss skein vs and at Boston, winning #7 there yesterday as they did in a #7 “semi” in ’82, the last time Philly took out Boston (not to dinner or from the library but of the ‘offs).

Now some Knicks/Sixers nee Nationals ‘offs history, as their fourth “quarters” clash begins Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

This will be the sixth Sixers/Knicks playoffs series and the ninth between the franchises as the Knicks and Nationals had ‘offs clashes in the first three possible seasons (’50-’52) and one more in ’59. (The Nats won a best of 3 semi (2-1) in ’50 and a best of 3 “quarter” (2-0) in ’59 while the Knicks took best of 5 “semis” (3-2) in ’51 and (3-1) in ’52).

Prior to the Knicks’ 6 game series triumph in 2024, the last three series contested between these teams resulted in sweeps, the Sixers sweeping the Knicks in 4 straight games in both the ’78 and ’83 “quarters,” the latter in route to their second Philly crown in ’83 (they won one as the Nationals that with the great Dolph Schayes in 1955).

New York swept the 76ers in 3 straight games in the ’89 preliminary round. In that aforementioned 2024 season, the Knicks made it (2-0) vs the Sixers in preliminary series, winning in 6.

By far, the most compelling Sixers/Knicks series, the lone non sweep, was Philadelphia’s 6 game triumph in the 1968 quarterfinals.

Game 3 in Philly where all odd numbered games were or would have been played and the series tied at one game apiece, was a two overtime 76ers win.

It was a costly win, as the 76ers’ great “6th man,” Billy Cunningham (the ’83 team’s coach) was lost for the rest of the ‘offs.

The Sixers were defending champions, having finished a (68-13), ’66-’67 season with a crown, one of 2 won by the great Wilt Chamberlain. They had an excellent ’67-’68 season “reg,” finishing with a (62-20) record.

However, the Boston Celtics overcame a (3-1) semis series deficit vs them and went on to their 10th title in 12 seasons, eventually to be 11 in 13, with the last of that incredible Bill Russell/Sam Jones and other greats era, coming vs the Lakers and their off-season acquisition, Wilt Chamberlain in ’68-’69

A truly great player, Billy Cunningham, is pictured below.